On the afternoon of Friday August 19, an officer responded to the Lincoln County Department of Social Services for a child abuse complaint.
According to officer notes, a male party had arrived at the department with a 13-year-old child and indicated an incident occurring between the child and his mother-identified as 34-year-old Cara Ballard-on Thursday evening.
The department staff member indicated the child had scratches and a bruise reportedly caused by Ballard.
According to the description from the male party, Ballard and the child were involved in a verbal altercation Thursday evening, during which Ballard was reportedly behaving in a verbally abusive manner. Ballard than reportedly pulled the child into the residence by the ear and slapped the child across the face, leaving a bruise.
According to officer notes, discussion with the child and the male party indicated constant verbal and physical abuse from Ballard, leading to the male party seeking help for the child.
The investigating officer reportedly attempted unsuccessfully to contact Ballard via telephone. Another officer then went to Ballard’s home and made contact with her, asking Ballard to go to the Department of Social Services. Ballard reportedly refused.
Due to the information and evidence presented at that point, the officer attempted to take Ballard into custody on a charge of Felony-Intentionally Causing Harm to a Child. Ballard reportedly pulled away, resisting the officer’s attempt to take her into custody. Once Ballard was taken into custody, she was transported to the Lincoln County Jail on the child abuse charge as well as a Misdemeanor charge of Resisting an Officer.
Ballard appeared in Lincoln County Circuit Court August 22, facing both charges. She was released August 23 on $1,500 signature bond.